Habitat

Plantain squirrels can be found in many different tropical environments. They are arboreal, and found in plantations, scrub forests, gardens, rainforests, and mangrove forests. In inland forests they use both secondary and primary forests, but most activity is seen in the lower to middle stories. One study shows these squirrels at elevations from 500-1100 m, but they were found most often at 800 m. They have become urbanized in Singapore. ("SCIRUS (Elsevier)", 2005a; Lekagul and McNeely, 1977; Medway, 1969; Nor, et al., 2001)

Physical Description

Plaintain squirrels are medium-sized squirrels with an olive-brown upperparts and tail. Their undersides are solid red-brown. The flank has a narrow black stripe which is superimposed on a buff one. Some subspecies have red hairs on the tip of their tail. Females have two or three mammae. They range from 160-259 g in weight. Measurements vary with subspecies, but lengths range from head and body 152-224 mm, tail 146-211 mm, and hind foot 38-47 mm.

Their dentition includes 2 large upper and lower incisors as seen in all rodents. There are 2 upper premolars and 1 lower premolar on each side of the jaw, and 3 upper and lower molars. No canines are present. (Lekagul and McNeely, 1977; Medway, 1969)

Reproduction

Multiple males compete in mating bouts for an estrus female. Usually 5 to 7 males compete in a single female’s home range. In the end, 2 to 4 males end up mating with a female. During this mating process, males communicate through barks and chasing. Vaughan et al. (2000) suggest a related Malaysian tree squirrel species, Calloscriurus caniceps, imitates predator calls to stop movements of the female and other males after copulation. By reducing their movements, these squirrels increase the probability of fertilization. This related species uses these calls for 30-35 minutes. Tamura et al. (1993) note that Callosciurus notatus, in contrast, only uses the call for 0.5-8.0 minutes. (Tamura, 1993; Vaughan, et al., 2000)

Callosciurus notatus breeds year round, but pregnant females were found more often in the months of April-June and least often in October-December. The average litter size was 2.2 with a range of 1-4. Their nests are found in upper branches of large bushes or small trees, and consist of a sphere of twigs and leaves. Young are born with their eyes closed and are hairless. Callosciurus typically gestate for 40 days and infants weigh about 16 g. The close relative, Callosciurus prevosti reproduces after they are a year old and can have up to 3 litters per year. Juveniles leave the nest usually after 6 weeks. ("SCIRUS (Elsevier)", 2005b; Medway, 1969)

Behavior

Plantain squirrels are diurnal and are usually found alone or in small groups. Their activity is usually related to foraging. In other species of the genus Callosciurus, male territories overlap more than females. Often, interactions between squirrels lead to “chase” sequences. In a related species, C. erythraeus, a dominance hierarchy exists in areas of food overlap and is based on age. It is suggested that adults give juveniles food. (Becker, et al., 1985; Medway, 1969; Tamura, et al., 1988)

Communication and Perception

These squirrels communicated with a shrill, scolding chatter and a sibilant chirp, "tswit." While making these noises, they vigorously flourish their tail. These shrill cries were often in response to predators. Different predators elicit different calls. For example, the presence of a snake will cause squirrels of the genus Callosciurus to come closer and sometimes mob the snake. (Medway, 1969; Tamura and Yong, 1993)

Food Habits

Callosciurus notatus is a frugivore and granivore. The diet of these squirrels includes fruit pulp, flowers, leafy shoots, seeds, and insects. Insects often make up half of stomach contents. Plantain squirels have also been known to extract sap or latex by gnawing on bark of trees, including rubber trees. (Lekagul and McNeely, 1977; Medway, 1969)

Predation

The most common predators for C. notatus are raptors, terrestrial carnivores, and snakes. Plantain squirrels often give different alarm calls depending on the predator. Each alarm call tends to give a different response. When a snake alarm call is made, these squirrels move in closer and sometimes engage in mobbing. The average number of plantain squirrels engaged in mobbing is 2.33. However, when a raptor is spotted, all activity ceases and immediate cover is taken. Their foraging habits vary by the type of predators in the area. (Becker, et al., 1985; Tamura and Yong, 1993)

Ecosystem Roles

Plantain squirrels may occasionally disperse tree seeds. Several species of parasites have been found on C. notatus.
Plantain squirrels also play important roles in ecosystems because they are prey for many predators. (Becker, et al., 1985)

Contributors

Glossary

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

agricultural

living in landscapes dominated by human agriculture.

altricial

young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.

arboreal

Referring to an animal that lives in trees; tree-climbing.

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

diurnal

active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.

dominance hierarchies

ranking system or pecking order among members of a long-term social group, where dominance status affects access to resources or mates

endothermic

animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.

forest

forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.

iteroparous

offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

omnivore

an animal that mainly eats all kinds of things, including plants and animals

oriental

found in the oriental region of the world. In other words, India and southeast Asia.

polygynandrous

the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.

rainforest

rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.

scrub forest

scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.

seasonal breeding

breeding is confined to a particular season

sedentary

remains in the same area

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

solitary

lives alone

stores or caches food

places a food item in a special place to be eaten later. Also called "hoarding"

tactile

uses touch to communicate

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

territorial

defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement

tropical

the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.

urban

living in cities and large towns, landscapes dominated by human structures and activity.

visual

uses sight to communicate

viviparous

reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.

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The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

This material is based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation
Grants DRL 0089283, DRL 0628151, DUE 0633095, DRL 0918590, and DUE 1122742. Additional support has come from the Marisla Foundation, UM College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Museum of Zoology, and Information and Technology Services.